The Kenya Lifesaving Federation (KLF) has done an impressive work in 2009 which is given hereunder:

KLF lifeguarding and instructorâ„¢s course

The Kenya Lifesaving Federation (KLF) has done an impressive work in 2009 which is given hereunder:

KLF lifeguarding and instructor’s course

Several lifesaving courses were completed over the year with more than 200 lifeguards being certified. Three swimming instructor’s courses had also been accomplished, with 100 instructors being qualified and certified.

Lifeguard certification and international lifeguard qualification ” ILS certification

The lifeguard’s recertification programme is picking up well. Over 200 lifeguards have been re-certified in 2009. And similarly ILS has certified all our successful candidates with the International Lifesaving certificate.

Standardisation of Lifesaving Certification

The KLF tried to harmonize the standards of lifesaving certification all over the country. We have requested the YMCA Kenya to accept the International lifesaving standards set out by the ILS the world water safety authority. KLF do appreciate the good work done by the YMCA central branch and other organisations teaching water safety. KLF position is to maintain one National lifesaving certification standard and we are the national water safety authority in Kenya.

KLF survival schemes awards

The scheme is done well, congratulation to Premier Academy and Kenya high for its students qualifying for Bronze awards, Nairobi Academy for students qualifying in Bronze, Gold, Silver and Platinum award.
Oshwal Sharks, Kania Aquatic Solution, Kasarani club, Stingray club have had students have received the Bronze Award. KLF places high importance on this scheme as it will benefit in a long term to the water safety of the people of Kenya.

National Swimming award programme

This programme started in 2008 and looks promising. It consists of 10 levels each with an achievement award and elaborate schemes adopted from the Royal lifesaving Society Australia and the local swimming syllabus. Over 400 pupils of Premier Academy have qualified from Level 1 to Level 6.

National Learn to Swim programme

KLF has had successful learn to swim programme with over 30 assistant teachers from Braeburn schools trained on swimming and basic lifesaving skills and 20 staff from the YAYA center management, a high five to Braeburn schools management for supporting the KLF programme.

KLF water safety policy and KLF position statement

Several policies and position statements were issued which were developed and adopted from the International Lifesaving Federation. They will be implemented to the fullest. This necessitates the identification of problematic areas and to tackle them immediately. KLF is well prepared for this challenge.

Lifeguard training

KLF will continue to offer lifeguard training in Nyayo and Kasarani Stadium. Many thanks to Peter Njuguna , Paul Angar, Aalbert Oketch and Veronica Waithira for availing themselves as instructors during the last year.

Strategic partnership

I am glad to inform you that KLF entered into strategic partnership agreement with the Sport Stadia Management Board. We have the use of the Stadia facilitated at 50% reduction. I wish to remind that all members can benefit from this agreement and shall make good use of it in Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium. We are pursuing other partnership agreements with other organisations that will benefit KLF members.

Affiliations

• KLF made a big step forward by becoming a member of Kenya National Sport Council, and we hope this will open doors to the National Olympic Committee in Kenya (NOCK).
• KLF is also a recognised sporting federation with the Ministry of Youths affairs and Sports with their Liaison Officer attached to our federation. The ministry has promised to fund some of our programmes.
• One result of these new affiliations at national level is the fact that KLF now has its own office located at the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium, courtesy of the Sports Stadia Management Board. This shows that KLF is now recognised at national level and that water safety is gaining the attention it deserves.
• At international level, KLF is member of the International Lifesaving Federation ILS.
• KLF is also an official branch of the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth.
• KLF is affiliated to the International Federation of Swimming Teachers Association “IFSTA.
• KLF has it member sitting at the Kenya Swimming Federation-KSF executive committee as a representative of lifesaving and water safety promoter, Mr Njuguna nomination to KSF was accepted at the last KSF AGM last September 2009.
• KLF applied for accreditation as a registered training provider by the Directorate of Industrial Training DIT, Ministry of Labor and Human Resource. We hope that our registration with D.I.T for 2010 will be processes and our trainers to be registered with PTAK as one of the requirement of D.I.T.

Partnerships

We have continued to work closely with the Red Cross Society in events of Disaster response and First Aid training for our lifeguards. We are still negotiating the formalisation of this partnership with the Red Cross Headquarters. KLF was included in list of National Disaster operations, ministry of office of the president and internal security, we shall assist when called upon during any disaster operation.

KLF will open its doors to partner with any organization aimed at promoting water safety and lifesaving sports.

Lifesaving championship

We have held three successful National Lifesaving Championship in 2009. I beg all the teachers and heads of institutions to support this initiative by bringing their students to participate in our lifesaving championships as to diversify a wide range of sports to our students. We plan to take a team to Egypt in October 2010.

Clinics – ILS International Lifeguards Instructors Qualification

Lifesaving Clinics were organised, I’m glad to state that we have 20 ILS qualified international lifeguard instructors.

Lifeguard recruitment for employment abroad

The KLF official figure indicates over 500 lifeguards were recruited for work in Dubai (UAE) and other Middle East Countries. KLF has a very good partnership with recruiting agent in particular Harpers Management Limited, many thanks to Lilian Zacho and Dan the Directors of Harpers for giving job opportunities for our members which is good for Kenya economy.

Lifeguard registration and licensing

KLF did not manage to register and license most of the practicing lifeguards. We intend to make it a must that all the practicing lifeguards must be registered and license by KLF starting from January 2010. We request all the institution that have employed lifeguards and lifeguards themselves to co-operate full as its of their beneficial to them to registered with the National Federation.

Coaches, swimming instructors/teachers registration and licensing

The KSF-Kenya Swimming Federation has indicated that it will registered all coaches practicing swimming in Kenya, KLF recommended to the KSF coaching commission that all the coaches, swimming instructors/teachers should have water safety knowledge plus first aid skills with lifesaving certification from national federation.

Inspection and Auditing of aquatic facilities

KLF entered into agreement with the NEMA, National Environment Management Authority, Ministry of Environment and National Resources, Nairobi city council and other local government Authorities- on inspections of swimming pools Having established various water safety policies and statement we are now going for the full implementation at national level. We have inspected several aquatic facilities across the country and shall continue to carry out inspection of swimming pools all over Kenya.

Branches

We have established branches in Nairobi, Nakuru ,Mombasa, Kisumu, Meru and Central. Three of them are registered with Registrar. I appeal to all branches to recruit more members to make the branches achieve our objectives.

Sponsors and Donors

Irish lifesaving foundation gave financial support for the KLF office rent at the Kasaraniksh. 30,000. KLF did not receive any sponsorships to all our events and this made our lifesaving championships went at a big deficit.

International events

KLF officials have attended the ILS meeting in Germany and went to Canada, Edmonton for the RLLS Commonwealth lifesaving Championship.
We have invitation for presidents meeting for commonwealth lifesaving society in January 2010 at Toronto Canada.

KLF is expected to take a team to for lifesaving world championships in Egypt in October 2010.

Calendar of events and strategic plans for 2008 to 2012

We have prepared the calendar of events 2009 To 2012 including a strategic plan for this period. We request the branches to synchronizer their activities with the national calendar.

Financial report

Our honorary treasurer will present shortly the KLF financial report. KLF has still a weak financial status and its future depend very much on each of you by engaging yourself to support KLF activities in your respective institution and work. We aim to be able to sustain ourselves in 2010 by generating enough income from the previously discussed programmes.

Awards of Merit

Allow me to award the following persons with the certificate of merit in recognition and appreciation of their efforts in promoting water safety and overall lifesaving development in the country.

PETER NJUGUNA
ALBERT OKETCH
PAUL ANGAR
VERONICA WAITHIRA
LILIAN ZACHO
HARPER MANAGEMENT LIMITED
IRENE KERUBO
DAVID MDOGO
JOSPHAT KANYANGE
PREMIER ACADEMY
NAIROBI ACADEMY
BRAEBURN SCHOOLS LIMITED
KENYA HIGH
SPORTS STADIA MANAGEMENT BOARD-KASARANI AQUATIC

Conclusion

I believe that we have established excellent programmes which will assure that water safety will be put on the agenda at national level. With your support, we will be able to promote water safety throughout Kenya and make sure that accidents related to water will be highly reduced. Also, promoting the participation in our courses will help our financial situation in generating enough income. I request all of you to look at other income generating activities which can assist KLF to become a viable institution.

This is a time of immense challenges to KLF with so many urgent needs everywhere to deal with. We have to widen our horizons and meet the challenges with lots of optimism and professionalism. This is also a time of great hope. By coming together, as one people, in pursuit of shared objectives, I am confident that KLF will overcome the difficulties, restore confidence in Kenya as a credible institution and serve as a source of inspiration for people even beyond the country’s border.

Job Kania
President of KLF